Hello My question is about copyright permission. I heard that we don’t need to get copy right permission if we use less than 3 minutes of movie, but I don’t know if it is right or not? Can anybody help me? Can anybody explain what the law really says? I want to use some minutes of one movie in my project. I talked to the company that produced it and asked them to allow me use some part of scenes in my advertising, but the price they wanted was even more than my contract! I was hopeless but some one told me I can use 3 minutes of every movie without copyright permission and it isn’t against the law. Now I want to be sure about it, if there is anybody here who knows the law completely, please help me. Thanking you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely Shahram Ashkani Hello Please read my new explanation in new subject, copyright permission2. Thanks Sincerely Shahram Ashkani

All Answers To Questions

Hi Shahram, Not sure who told you that you can use 3 minutes of movie but it's incorrect. Imagine if the film contained a summary or conclusion - you could effectively show the whole film, or at least the salient parts of it, within the 3 minute clip. Technically you need permission before you reproduce anything but there is usually some leeway that would allow a reviewer or critic to reproduce short extracts. There are other exceptions most notably for educational purposes which allows schools, colleges etc to use otherwise copyrighted material. From what you've said it sounds like a commercial venture that you're engaged in and as such you'll find it harder to get copyright clearance - or at least without having to pay a substantial fee. Remember that pretty much every movie is going to be copyright protected - the only exceptions are going to be really old movies (in most of the world if the creator died more than 70 years ago, of prior to 1923 in the US). Good luck with your project and I hope you manage to find a workaround.

That is not true. The person holding the copyright can still sue you - the right belongs to them for any amount of their product. You did the right thing speaking to the company that produced the movie. I'm an indy filmmaker...music and film clip rights are insanely expensive, but not as expensive as getting sued.

there is a 'fair use' concept currently rolling around that allows for some use of other people's copyrighted material as long as it is not being used by you for any form of profit. If your project is something that will be sold or will be used to generate revenue, then you must obtain permission to use anything that is now wholly owned or licenced by you.

you have to get permission from the company and if they let you then you can use it. The comapany and the fillmmaker have all rights to the film